Council looking for new developer to take on former IMI James Bridge Copper Works site at Darlaston

A Midland council has pledged to carry on regardless, after a deal to regenerate 37 acres of derelict industrial land and create 4,000 jobs collapsed.

Walsall Council has revealed discussions with a potential developer to transform the former IMI James Bridge Copper Works site at Darlaston – known as the Phoenix 10 project, have ended.

An £18 million deal, between the council, the Homes and Communities Agency and developer Parkhill would have seen the site decontaminated, restored and turned into a warehouse and distribution hub ideally located next to the M6.

But due to a break down in negotiations with Parkhill following public funding cuts the deal has now been cancelled and Walsall Council must seek a new developer.

The council and HCA are looking at paying for the reclamation and then selling the land ready for development.

Labour opposition leader Coun Tim Oliver said he fears that the opportunity has been lost and it will be blighted creating a further blow to the borough’s economy.

He said: “The failure of the HCA and Walsall Council to deliver on these 4,000 promised jobs is a disaster for Alumwell, Darlaston, and for Walsall and the Black Country as a whole.

“It seems Walsall Council has never considered a plan B and these badly needed jobs might now never materialise.

Cabinet member for regeneration Coun Adrian Andrew said that the project remains on course for completion by 2017.

He said: “We continue to be deeply committed to turning the Phoenix 10 site into a place that provides hundreds of new jobs. While we must first overcome the hurdle of reclaiming the land we are looking to understand the best way of attracting investment and jobs onto the site.

“We’re working with specialists who will give us a more complete picture of the reclamation and redevelopment options for how we should move forward. We hope to receive a further report in March proposing a preferred way forward.”